Cleared

Penn State global warming scientist Michael E. Mann committed no research misconduct in his studies that produced the "hockey stick" chart of the 20th century's rising temperatures, a university investigative committee concluded Thursday. "The investigative committee, after careful review of all available evidence, determined that there is no substance to the allegation against Michael E. Mann," the panel of five Penn State scientists reported unanimously. The panel's finding brings to an end the university's two-phase inquiry into Mann's conduct, which came under fire after more than 1,000 once-private e-mails by the world's top climate scientists, including Mann, were stolen and released to the Internet last November.

Cole Hamels could be headed nowhere, but at least one team claimed the Philadelphia Phillies left-hander, opening the possibility of a trade before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline. Multiple outlets reported unidentified teams claimed Hamels and right fielder Marlon Byrd off waivers. Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon cleared waivers. If they so choose, the Phillies have 48 hours to execute trades with the team that claimed Hamels and Byrd. They could, at any time, opt to pull the player back to their roster.

To the Editor: The Jan. 29 article on the Wyoming Street explosion said firefighters "found a fire hydrant cleared of snow, a rare sight in the city these days." The article added that officials were not aware whether the department or residents had shoveled the snow. I have lived across the street from this hydrant for many years and ever since I can remember, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Smith, at 901 Wyoming St., have cleared that fire hydrant after each and every snow. Let's give them our heartfelt thanks for saving the fire department valuable time and perhaps other properties from extensive damage.

By Pamela Lehman, Nicole Radzievich and Frank Warner, Of The Morning Call | August 7, 2014

Bethlehem officers were headed to break up an unruly crowd Tuesday night a few blocks away from the Musikfest celebration when several shots rang out, sending people running in all directions for cover, police said. Two men were shot, one in the hip, the other in the groin, near Bethlehem's north side downtown in an attack that police were investigating as a possible retaliation for a Friday night city shooting. The Tuesday shooting happened just before 11 p.m. at Garrison and Masslich streets, a block east of Main Street, according to police radio reports.

Workers pull cables for tow trucks to right an overturned tractor-trailer on a median of the Schuylkill Expressway near Philadelphia's City Line Avenue exit. Eastbound traffic was delayed while a crane assisted in clearing the wreckage yesterday.

To the Editor: I'd like to thank the "kind neighbor" who used a snow blower to clear a path in front of the homes on the 1000 block of E. Gordon Street. Your work was greatly appreciated this season. C. DAVIS ALLENTOWN

The lawyers for former Stroudsburg Police Chief John Pansy are seeking to have his arrest record cleared, saying his law enforcement career could be hampered by such a record. In April, Pansy was charged with stealing thousands of dollars in parking meter coins from the borough. He was acquitted Dec. 6 by an Adams County jury of all theft and money-laundering charges. Pansy, who was suspended for six months without pay after his arrest and demoted to patrolman, has returned to work on the borough police force.

A Northampton County jury yesterday cleared an Easton obstetrician of allegations of medical malpractice in his 1984 care of a former Northampton area woman. The verdict in favor of Dr. William Isaac Cooper followed a weeklong trial before Judge James C. Hogan. The suit was brought by Georgette Glass, who now lives in West Virginia. Glass, who was represented by attorney Nancy Rhoades, contended that her uterus was so damaged by repeated dilation and curettage procedures after the October 1984 birth of a child, and Cooper's post-natal care was so substandard, that she had to undergo a hysterectomy in January 1986.

Percy Eugene Lee admitted that he hit Desiree Lewis outside Roosevelt's Bar at 401 E. 4th St. in Bethlehem. But a Northampton County jury apparently believed the 6-foot-1-inch, 250-pound Lee's claim that he hit Lewis in self-defense. The jury of six men and six women yesterday cleared Lee, 27, of 412 Market St., Allentown, of charges of simple and aggravated assault for the July 20 incident outside the bar. Lee was represented by Assistant Public Defender Anthony Beltrami in the trial before Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden.

A Wilson man was cleared of assault charges after a preliminary hearing yesterday. John Fulmer, 47, of 1711 Northampton St., had been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and disorderly conduct for allegedly hitting Louie Fimiano of Easton in the face with a beer bottle Feb. 9 at Mother's Bar, Easton. District Justice Joseph N. Leo of Easton found Fulmer not guilty of disorderly conduct and dimissed the assault charges.

After a shooting late Tuesday night just blocks from Bethlehem's Musikfest — the second there in four days — Mayor Robert Donchez vowed the crimes "will not go unanswered" and more police will be out on the streets during the city's biggest event of the year. On Wednesday, as city officials offered strong words and sought to allay any fears about public safety at Musikfest, some residents and festival fans said they were determined not to let the violence spoil their fun. "Bethlehem is a very safe city, and under my watch it will remain that way," Donchez said in a statement.

New York Giants running back David Wilson, who was awaiting the results of a CT scan taken on his surgically repaired neck, wrote on Twitter Monday that he is "cleared for everything. " If so, Wilson can join the team Tuesday for the first day of training camp. Wilson injured his neck last Oct. 6 in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and missed the rest of the season. He had surgery and participated in some of the team's offseason program in May and June. In June, Wilson said he had an exam scheduled for July 21. Monday's tweet assumes he received positive results of the exam.

It can seem like the Philadelphia region hosts an expo every weekend -- on dogs, firearms or furniture, to name a few — but this might have been a new one: The Expungement Expo. The one-day event in Southwest Philadelphia sought to help people erase the records of crimes for which they were arrested but never convicted, thus removing an often imposing barrier to employment. "Anyone who has been involved with the criminal-justice system, and has not been convicted, deserves a second chance," said City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who organized the event with state Sen. Anthony Williams, Rep. Jordan Harris and the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia.

New York Giants running back David Wilson should be cleared at a July 21 exam of his surgically repaired neck. Giants owner John Mara said Wilson should be "ready to go" for training camp. Mara made the comments Thursday at a YMCA charitable event. "We expect him to be playing," Mara said. Wilson had a season-ending neck injury in Week 5 last year and underwent surgery this offseason, but was not cleared for contact as he expected prior to minicamp. Wilson has made no attempt to hide his anxiousness regarding gaining medical clearance to resume a full range of football activities that includes contact.

Northampton County Council confirmed three of Executive John Brown's Cabinet officials Thursday, leaving just one vacancy in his administration. A stream of colleagues, friends and even "friendly competitors" of the three men appeared before council to vouch for the nominees. Luis Campos, director of administration, and James Hunter, finance director, were approved unanimously. Democratic Councilman Lamont McClure, voting by phone, cast the only vote against David Dalrymple for sheriff.

Jarrett Jack and Tyler Zeller were traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who needed the cap space to advance their pursuit of LeBron James and other big-name players. Point guard Jarrett Jack and his $6.2 million salary was shipped to the Nets along with Sergey Karasev. The 20-year-old Karasev was the 19th overall pick in the 2013 draft. Zeller and a lottery protected first-round pick went to the Celtics in exchange for a second-round pick as part of three-team deal that also included Marcus Thornton, who is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to earn $8.69 million next season.

A Wilson man was cleared of robbery and assault charges yesterday after the alleged victim in the case failed to appear for a preliminary hearing. Shakim McNeil, 20, of N. 24th Street had been charged by Easton police with choking James Powell on Nov. 16 at Powell's Walnut Street home and taking $340. McNeil had been charged with robbery, theft, simple assault and conspiracy. District Justice Gay Elwell of Easton ordered McNeil released from Northampton County Prison after Powell failed to appear.

Two Easton residents were cleared of welfare fraud charges after they made restitution to the state Department of Public Welfare. Charles Daisy Jr., 49, of 609A Seitz St. was charged with concealing his income to illegally obtain $1,015 in food stamp coupons between March 1 and July 31, 1993. Karen Ladner, 28, of 37 S. 6th St., 1st floor, was charged with concealing her wages between July 1 and Oct. 31, 1993, to unlawfully obtain $926 in food stamps. The charges were dismissed this week by District Justice Joseph Leo of Easton.

Two trades by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday open the door for the potential return of LeBron James to his home state. As the four-time MVP was set to sit down with Miami Heat president Pat Riley, the Cavaliers dealt away three first-round picks in separate trades involving the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics. The moves leave the Cavaliers with $21.7 million in cap space, enough to offer James a maximum salary slot. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, James' agent, Rich Paul, advised the Cavaliers to make the moves necessary to offer James a max deal.

Jack Hawksworth, an IndyCar driver who sustained a bruised heart during a practice crash at Pocono Raceway last week, has been cleared to race again. Hawksworth, a 23-year-old IndyCar Series rookie, was injured during a practice crash Saturday before the Pocono IndyCar 500. Hawksworth sustained a myocardial contusion, race officials said, and was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown for observation. Hawksworth was released Sunday. IndyCar doctors cleared him Tuesday to race, according to a news release.